“Al Franken Did Not Molest Arianna Huffington, She Says Responding To Photo”
MODERATOR’S NOTE:
Yeah - not going there. Refer back to my note on p.14. Post deleted.
I’m finding the humor here less than amusing. Best to avoid. Post and responses to it deleted.
@roycroftmom - 86? Holy cow he doesn’t look nearly that old (he’s 88 now).
@skieurope I need to say something but please delete it if it goes too far afield. I missed the “kinky” comments.
To be absolutely, perfectly, 100% clear: kink involves consent. “Kinks” without consent are assault/rape/etc- not kinks. Please don’t ever mix those up.
Yes Greenwitch, the allegation is from 2015.
The post I deleted was not an attempt to educate. It was an attempt at humor. It failed. I deleted.
I think people look at things very differently. Some perceive themselves as a victim, others as just part of the group, or the game. I’m not sure what differentiates perceptions, perhaps feeling that you had power, and didn’t have to go along with it if you didn’t want to.
There needs to be some perspective on this. Sure it shouldn’t have happened but this was on a USO tour. I can’t possibly understand the challenges of that gig. What I do know is that I was the object of worse several times as a teen and young woman. Will I always remember the incidents? Yes. Do I wish they hadn’t happened? Yes. Did they impact my life? No. Would I wish to take down the men involved?No. I think Al Franken is a strong voice in our senate. I don’t think that his actions are in the same league as so many of the disgusting accusations out there. I think the publicity of this is politically motivated. Yes, this type of humor needs to be curtailed but it doesn’t rise to a level that warrants ending the career of a solid public servant. Who among us hasn’t had a moment that would put us in a bad light if it received national publicity? I support the me too movement, it is wonderful that this kinds of bad behavior is being called out, but this just doesn’t rise the level or is even in the same catagory as other recent accusations.
Does anyone remember the secret service prostitution scandals in Columbia from 2012. Eight people lost their position. (Why didn’t they tell each other this behavior was not OK)?
I think bad behavior from people in power is more rampant than any one of us thought possible.
Yes, and there was something today about 3 or 4 people going off with women while POTUS was in Vietnam. Clearly, they didn’t learn.
@sly123, and they only got caught because one agent was being cheap.
I think we have to be careful not to lump all of these into one group.
When I hear settlement I don’t instantly think guilty especially when the amount is small. In the case of John Conyers, the media is making such a big deal that he settled. It’s was 25k, which is a nuisance pay in the world of settlements. Now the signed affidavits from other staffers those are smoking guns and lend more credence to his guilt.
This will be an interesting test case in what happens when someone immediately apologizes, and fairly throughly, versus continuing to deny and only admitting to parts of the story as it
Indeed. Barely qualifies as chump change in NYC. 
Excellent point. It bothers me that some argue that denial in the face of compelling evidence equates to exoneration.
“Again, I’ll apologize on the thread if a bunch of other women step forward and brand him a “harasser”…I think he’s far from being a “harasser” in real life and no way is he an “assaulter” or a “rapist” or a “predator”.” Not going to hold my breath waiting for an apology. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/al-franken-two-more-women-groping_us_5a15a455e4b09650540ec295
the settlements for Conyers didn’t go through the courts but the system set up by the congress. I have no doubt the system favors the members of congress.
Yes, the settlement system in congress greatly favors the congressperson. For example, they are represented by counsel for free and any settlement is paid by taxpayers, not by them. Both parties are forced to sign a non disclosure agreement, so it’s very curious that buzzfeed got copies of the actual legal documents involving Conyers. They got them from a right wing guy but how did he get them?
One wouid think he’d want to leave this alone and put it behind him.
Plus, if he was so worried these pics would get out, possibly ruining his career. - maybe he shouldn’t have sent them in the first place.
I find the threatening of the women much more troubling than the pictures/texts:
^ Oops posted on wrong thread (there are so many I’ve gotten confused which thread is which.